Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts is no longer helming the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Fantastic Four movie.
Deadline reports Watts exited the film because he "needs a break from the superhero realm" after directing all three films in the MCU's Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland. "Making three Spider-Man films was an incredible and life changing experience for me," Watts said in a statement. "I'm eternally grateful to have been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for seven years. I'm hopeful we’ll work together again and I can't wait to see the amazing vision for Fantastic Four brought to life."
Marvel Studios President/Marvel CCO Kevin Feige also commented on Watts stepping back, calling working with him "a true pleasure." Feige continued, saying, "We were looking forward to continuing our work with him to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU but understand and are supportive of his reasons for stepping away. We are optimistic that we will have the opportunity to work together again at some point down the road."
Watts' exit came not long after Fantastic Four was rumored to be his next project. The director's Fantastic Four involvement was confirmed at 2020's Disney Investor Day event, where Feige announced that the former 21st Century Fox property would become part of Marvel Studios' Phase 4 lineup. Watts is still attached to another mega-popular Disney franchise, however -- he will reportedly helm episodes for an as-yet-unannounced Star Wars series for Disney+.
Hollywood has already taken a crack at two different versions of the Fantastic Four over the past two decades. 2005's Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, starred Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd and Michael Chiklis. Fox returned to the IP a decade later with 2015's Fantastic Four, starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell. As both attempts at bringing the Fantastic Four to the big screen were poorly received, Marvel Studios looks to revitalize the team's live-action reputation.
While the MCU's version of Marvel's famous foursome does not currently have a release date, a new promo for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness suggests the Fantastic Four's Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic may make his debut in the film. The clip includes a mention of the Illuminati, a secret society from the comics made up of Richards, Tony Stark/Iron Man, Namor, Black Bolt, Doctor Strange and Professor X.
Source: Deadline